Casgliadau Arlein

A section of early plate rail example, from Cloddfa’r Lôn Quarry, Dyffryn Nantlle. This plate rail was discovered in 1994 by Mr Brynley Jones at Cloddfa’r Lôn Quarry, Dyffryn Nantlle. The plate is broken, and it is believed that less than half survives.

From the early 19th century to the late 20th century the typical internal transport system in a Gwynedd slate quarry was a 2’ gauge edge railway, using double-flanged wheels and stub points. However, there are some variations, including rare examples of plateways (flanged cast-iron rails for flangeless wheels). The earliest probable example of a plateway in the slate industry is from the Oernant Quarry near Llangollen.

For further information see ‘A plateway in a Nantlle slate quarry’ by Gwynfor Pierce Jones and Brynley Jones (an article which appears in ‘Industrial Gwynedd’, Volume 1, pg. 30-33).